Let’s be honest, when you hear “inflatable tent,” your mind probably jumps to something flimsy, like a bounce house in the woods. I get it. I had the exact same reaction. But after six months with the RBM Outdoors Panda inflatable tent, I can confidently say this tent has shattered all my expectations… in the best way possible.
I’ll admit, I wasn’t sold on the idea at first. I pictured the tent deflating mid-night with me and my kid inside, or the canvas getting shredded by a wayward rock. But spoiler alert: none of that happened. In fact, this tent has become one of my all-time favorite pieces of camping gear. It’s huge, easy to set up, and holds its own in gnarly wind and weather. And the best part? It actually feels like a livable, comfortable space—not just a place to crash.
As you can see in my video above, unlike traditional tents that require a wrestling match with poles and confusing diagrams, the Panda goes from packed to fully inflated in just minutes. With 129 square feet of interior space and room for up to eight people, it’s built for group outings, family trips, or anyone who wants space to stretch out. Plus, the all-season canvas shell makes it an incredibly versatile option, whether you’re hunkering down in a winter snowstorm or airing out on a breezy spring afternoon.
In this RBM Outdoors Panda Inflatable Tent review, I’ll cover everything from specs and standout features to real-world performance and durability. Whether you’re planning a family trip, year-round camping, or just want a serious upgrade from your old setup, this tent is absolutely worth checking out.
Table of Contents
- RBM Outdoors Panda Inflatable Tent Specs and Features
- RBM Outdoors Panda Inflatable Tent Setup
- How Does the RBM Outdoors Panda Inflatable Tent Perform in Windy Conditions?
- RBM Outdoors Panda Inflatable Tent Durability
- FAQs
RBM Outdoors Panda Inflatable Tent Specs and Features
At almost 10 feet wide, 13 feet long, and 7.2 feet tall at the peak of the roof, this tent is absolutely enormous. All told, there is 129 square feet of interior space, which is big enough to sleep eight people (or have a huge bed, a table, a fridge, and plenty of room left over, as shown above).
The tent is made of canvas, which is breathable so there’s less concern about condensation forming on the inside of the tent. Moreover, canvas is extremely durable and rugged, which is exactly what you want in a tent material (more on that later).
Image credit: RBM Outdoors
This bad boy has two large doors for easy ingress and egress, plus eight windows. Yes…eight windows! All of the windows have mosquito netting, so you can open them up and get nice airflow without the addition of bugs inside the tent.
Add in a panoramic window on the roof (as shown in the image above), and the interior of this tent feels more like a solarium than a tent. Open all the windows up and get loads of natural light! This is especially nice on cloudy, cool, rainy days when you’re stuck inside the tent but don’t want to feel like you’re trapped in a cave.
If you like to camp year-round like I do, the RBM Outdoors Panda inflatable tent has a trick up its sleeve – a stove jack (you can see the port for the chimney on the right side of the roof in the image above).
With fall rapidly approaching, having the ability to add a stove to your tent is a fantastic option. Just imagine relaxing in your enormous tent, the cold wind blowing outside, and the first snowflakes making their way from the heavens while you stoke the fire in your stove. Not a bad image, right? Especially with that awesome panoramic roof!
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RBM Outdoors Panda Inflatable Tent Setup
There’s really not a lot to say here because setting up this tent is about as easy as it gets.
Obviously, since it’s an inflatable tent, there are no poles, so you can immediately disregard all the messing about with what pole goes where. Instead, use the included manual air pump to inflate the tent (which takes about four minutes), stake the tent off with a few guy lines, and you’re ready to rumble!
I highly recommend using an electric pump to make even quicker work of inflating the tent. My little Flextail Max SUP Pump is rechargeable and offers up to 20 PSI, so it’s just the ticket for this application. Hook it up to the tent, watch it work, and about three minutes later, you’ll have a home away from home! Then, when you’re done, simply deflate it, fold it up, and carry it away in the included carrying case. It really couldn’t be simpler!
How Does the RBM Outdoors Panda Inflatable Tent Perform in Windy Conditions?
Once you tether the tent to the ground using the included stakes and guy lines, this tent is absolutely rock solid. I’ve had some of the windiest camping experiences of my life with this tent, and it has proven to be a reliable and comfortable option to take refuge from the wind.
I highly recommend upgrading the stakes, though. I use GroundGrabba stakes that screw into the ground to provide a better anchor for the guy lines. Since this tent is so large and has some big slabs of material to catch the wind, having a little extra connection to the ground certainly doesn’t hurt.
On a related note, this is a four-season tent, so you can legitimately use it year-round for camping trips without concern about its ability to hold up to wind, rain, snow, and sun. I’ve used this tent in many of these conditions, and it’s performed well each and every time.
RBM Outdoors Panda Inflatable Tent Durability
As I noted earlier, this is a canvas tent, so you get the advantages of breathability, durability, and ruggedness. This is a thick canvas – not the flimsy polyester material you see on many smaller tents – so it’s purpose-built to stand up to the rigors of outdoor use.
What’s more, canvas is extremely easy to repair if damage occurs. For example, if the tent gets a rip, it’s a simple matter of using the included repair kit to seal the rip or tear, and the tent will be as good as new.
At the end of the day, this tent has been absolutely awesome in every situation I’ve tested it in. As I noted in the introduction, it’s easy to set up, has loads of space for you and your friends, and has been surprisingly steady, even in really strong winds. For me, the RBM Outdoors Panda inflatable tent is a total champ.
Be sure to check out the video at the beginning of this review to get even more details about this awesome tent!
FAQs
How long does it take to set up the RBM Panda Tent?
With the included manual pump, setup takes about 4 – 5 minutes. But if you use a small electric pump like my Flextail Max SUP Pump, you’re looking at closer to 2 – 3 minutes, tops. It’s genuinely one of the fastest setups I’ve ever had with a tent of this size.
Can one person set it up solo?
Absolutely. One of the biggest perks of this inflatable system is that it eliminates the need for poles and extra hands. You can easily unroll the tent, attach your pump, and watch it inflate in a matter of minutes. Stake it out solo, and you’re ready to go.
How well does it perform in extreme weather?
Surprisingly well. I’ve camped through gusty winds and freezing temps, and the Panda didn’t flinch. It’s a four-season tent with heavy-duty canvas and solid guy line anchors. Just make sure to upgrade the stock stakes for added peace of mind in high winds.
Is it easy to pack down and transport?
Yup. Once deflated, it folds down neatly and fits into the included carry bag. It’s not exactly ultralight, but it’s manageable and way less bulky than you’d expect for such a large tent. It fits just fine in the bed of my Gladiator.
How durable is the inflatable frame?
So far, flawless. No leaks, no punctures, no weird pressure drops. The inflatable beams are protected by the canvas shell, and I’ve dragged this thing over gravel and rocks with zero issues. It also comes with a repair kit just in case, but I haven’t had to touch it.
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